He Is With Us “Restoration” Genesis 37-50 Metanarrative - Creation - Fall - Redemption - Restoration Joseph (he is the central figure of chapters 37-50 in the book of Genesis) Birth to Seventeen Years (Genesis 30:24-37:2) - Family dysfunction - Father’s favorite - Brothers who hated him Seventeen to Thirty Years (Genesis 37:2-41:46) - Life that seems out of control - Enslaved / Unfairly accused / Imprisoned Thirty Years to Death (Genesis 41:46-50:26) - Lives to be 110 - Rejects revenge / bitterness / unforgiveness - Chooses to bless and forgive Joseph’s life helps us see God is Good, and answers four questions we often wrestle with: 1) The question of “where”—God, where were you? - It’s easy to believe God has forgotten us or abandoned us in times of trouble and difficulty. - Key phrase: “God was with Joseph” Genesis 39:1-3 God was with Joseph - In the pit - In Potiphar’s house - In Prison - In the palace 2) The question of “what”—God, what are you doing? - God positions us. (Genesis 37:18-24) - God prepares us. (Genesis 39:19-23) - God protects us. (Genesis 45:4-8a) 3) The question of “why”—God, why are you allowing or doing this? - God is good in all that He does and is working all things toward His plan and purposes. Genesis 50:15-21 - We must guard against bitterness in our life. - We must guard against unforgiveness in our life. 4) The question of “will”—God, will you be with me to the end? - God is good and He will never leave us or forsake us! Genesis 50:24-26 (this is an important phrase in verse 24 and 25–“God will take care of you”) - Jesus promised He would be with us until the end! (Matthew 28:20) Next Step: Let this week point us to the question of how? - God, how do You want to use what I have experienced for Your Glory and my good?